Sydney Children’s Hospital Network boss Michael Brydon resigns as cardiac surgery feud intensifies
The head of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network has suddenly quit the position as the rift between NSW’s two children’s hospitals intensifies. READ HIS EMOTIONAL LETTER TO STAFF.
- Surgeon says Sydney kids will die if spat continues
- Doctors support split from children’s hospital network
The head of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network has suddenly quit the position as a cardiac surgery resourcing feud between NSW’s two children’s hospitals intensifies.
Chief executive Dr Michael Brydon sent an emotional email to staff yesterday informing them he will be leaving the network, which oversees the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick.
Dr Brydon, who was appointed to the role in July 2016, is in charge of the east and west hospitals co-operating.
It comes as tensions between the two facilities have boiled over in recent weeks.
Senior doctors at the Randwick hospital overwhelmingly voted to leave the network last month amid concerns that cardiac services are being prioritised to Westmead.
“It is with mixed emotions that I wish to inform the wonderful team of the SCHN that I will be leaving the Network,” Dr Brydon wrote in the email to staff.
“As most of you would be aware I have already been unexpectedly on leave now for 2 months … I have decided to step down a bit earlier than I originally expected to seek some of these other opportunities.
“It is very humbling to be part of the journey a family undertakes with a sick child and every day I have never misunderstood the responsibilities this brings. It can be extremely rewarding but at the same time challenging, emotional and draining on the soul.”
He also thanked the NSW Ministry of Health and executive team for their “willingness to relieve me at short notice”.
Since entering paediatrics Dr Brydon has “advocated for children and their families, highlighting the differences in their needs and ensuring a fair allocation of resources to paediatrics”, according to the SCHN website.
A SCHN spokeswoman confirmed that Dr Brydon was stepping down after choosing to “pursue new opportunities in addressing child healthcare inequalities”.
“For more than 30 years, Michael has made a positive contribution to the lives of sick and injured children; as a paediatrician, educator, leader, administrator, colleague and friend to many,” she said.
“Michael’s passion and commitment to improving the lives of NSW’s most vulnerable will form part of his legacy, as will the image of him walking the corridors, chatting to staff and listening to families.”
Dr Brydon said he was “blessed to have spent so much of my career working with such wonderfully inspiring families and highly professional and caring colleagues would be a major understatement”.
“It is very humbling to be part of the journey a family undertakes with a sick child and every day I have never misunderstood the responsibilities this brings,” he added.
“Our team of committed health professionals is what makes child health the very special part of our health system. I feel so privileged to have been a part of it.”
Adjunct Associate Professor Cheryl McCullagh will be the interim SCHN Chief Executive.
Labor’s health spokesman Walt Secord said the dispute had been “allowed to fester too long by the Berejiklian Government – and the departure of SCHN chief executive Michael Brydon does not fix the problem”.
“The doctors have been forced into a conflict situation, where they are forced to fight over meagre resources. This is simply pitting doctor against doctor,” he said.
“The Berejiklian Government should have stepped in and resolved the dispute.
“Blame lies squarely with the Health Minister and the Premier, who allowed the dispute to escalate for the last two years.
“The Berejiklian Government should have been conducting overseas and inter-State searches for the staff necessary to support two world class services.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard is also under pressure to help “divorce” the Randwick and Westmead facilities from former medical staff who are pleading for “urgent intervention … before further damage is done”.
Mr Hazzard said he respected Dr Brydon’s decision to move on from the role.
“Dr Michael Brydon is an extraordinary and compassionate human being who I first met more than almost 40 years ago and I have the highest regard and respect for him as a standout paediatrician,” he said.
“He has made a decision which I respect but I’m hopeful he will still continue to serve the public in some way as we move forward.”
Mr Hazzard ordered an independent governance review into the SCHN network at the behest of Randwick staff in February but doctors have no confidence it will resolve their concerns. Recommendations are expected later this month.
The former head of Randwick’s senior medical staff council, Dr Angus Gray, has also warned Mr Hazzard will have blood on his hands if children die from a lack of cardiac services at the facility.
Meanwhile, a Change.org petition to “Save Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick” has also attracted more than 3500 signatures.
“Critically ill babies and children will face life threatening delays in receiving treatment if our service (at Randwick) closes,” the petition states.
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